On Peace Day, more than 2,500 young people came together in the heart of Guatemala City to celebrate peace. Wearing white T-shirts and wristbands with the word “Peace” written on them, they formed a human chain to raise awareness of the need for peace. Youth from all levels and sectors of society joined hands to mark this special day.

Mr. Alvaro Arzu, the mayor of Guatemala City formed the first link of the human chain that started at a peace monument in front of the Guatemala City Municipality, crossed Guatemala City’s 6^th Avenue pedestrian way and ended at the National Palace of Culture.

White roses for peace

White roses were passed on from one participant to the next and were placed at the Peace Monument in the National Palace of Culture. Guatemala’s Vice President Roxana Baldetti, received the roses from a young girl on behalf of all the young people forming the human chain. Mrs. Baldetti alongside environmental activists, indigenous leaders, youth leaders, artists and athletes also laid her rose at the Peace Monument

A Guatemalan tradition

This ceremony links to a Guatemalan tradition that has its origins in 1996 when the Peace Accords that ended the 36 year civil war were signed. Since then, each day a white rose is placed at the Peace Monument to mark yet another day of peace.

Interpeace teamed up with youth organizations from across the country to celebrate Peace Day and contribute to the establishment of a culture of peace in Guatemala.